SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS CRICKET UMPIRES ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2010/11 SEASON
by MR FAIZEL SAMSOODIEN
INTRODUCTION
We have come to the end of a fruitful season and the start of new challenging season. The term of the executive committee has also come to end and a new executive was voted in at the annual general meeting 2011.
The season 2010-2011 started off again with many changes. This year, Koos Van Tonder, a highly respected member of the executive body resigned as he relocated to Johannesburg. Our best wishes accompany him in his new venture. We thanked him sincerely for the wonderful work he has done for cricket umpiring and the game of cricket in SWD.
We welcomed new members onto the executive namely Glen Mennie as an additional member and Moses Carolus who acquired the position of treasurer.
The Executive Committee that served was
· Faizel Samsoodien (Chairperson)
· Jean Neethling (Vice-Chairperson)
· Ruth Van der Merwe (Secretary)
· Moses Carolus (Treasurer)
· Glen Mennie (Additional Member)
· Trevor van der Walt (Additional Member)
GENERAL OVERVIEW
All umpires had to attend a compulsory meeting on the 11th of September 2010, to present and supply the umpires with the by-laws. This was done to ensure a smooth running of the season. The playing conditions were discussed in detail and the season got into full swing.
The umpire executives have dedicated themselves to their duties in cricket and dealt with everything in their stride. A workshop, “Good Governance” was attended on the same day, and as such, Faizel Samsoodien, Ruth Van der Merwe and Moses Carolus were excused to attend this informative workshop.
The executives generally meet once a month to discuss any correspondence, issues and feedback with regards to games and behaviour of umpires and players alike.
New members to the Umpires Association were Craig Zaaiman and Sam Witbooi. Hopefully we will have much more new members joining us in the forthcoming season.
· Academies Tournament 2010
This tournament was held in Oudtshoorn and we did the officiating for all games played. Our standing umpires did an excellent job.
· Cricket SA umpires: National weeks
Umpires from our region also went to National weeks; these umpires were chosen according to ratings, commitment, transformation and potential.
The officiating umpires were:
· Jaco Van Stryp - U/13 Boys tournament; 12-16 December 2011 in Potchefstroom
· Moses Carolus - U/15 Boys tournament; 13-17 December 2011 in Port Elizabeth.
· John Frans - U/17 Boys Tournament; 11-15 December 2011 in Pretoria.
· George Nieuweveldt - U/19 Girls tournament; 11-15 December in Johannesburg.
We are proud of our fantastic team of umpires whom we call friends, colleagues and professionals who are dedicated and enthusiastic about cricket. Well done.
· Standard Bank Schools Pro-20’s
The pro-20 took place and many umpires got to stand these exciting games.
The following umpires stood the first semi-finals:
- Levesto Le Roux and Marshall May.
- James Phillips and Faizel Samsoodien.
The finals were umpired by: Trevor Van der Walt and Faizel Samsoodien.
The PRO 20 competition was also a fantastic experience and wonderful opportunity for all umpires to get involved in cricket at a school level. These games were played after school and were very exciting. Thanks to all those who participated.
· SASAII U/15 National Week (George)
This week was held between 22nd to the 26th of November 2010. All those that participated had a great experience. This week was special in all sense of the word.
· Exchange umpires
The exchange umpires were those who volunteered and had accommodation
In the Cape Town area and who were committed and showed interest in promoting themselves to develop and encourage relations with other umpires in other areas to represent our region SWD. These umpires were:
Faizel Samsoodien, Ruth Van der Merwe, Trevor Van der Walt, Charles Carelse, Glen Mennie and Gary Hockly.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances some of these umpires had to withdraw from the exchange program that could not represent us in Cape Town, but others had a wonderful experience and held SWD’s name high.
· Club Championships
Faizel Samsoodien was nominated to officiate in the club championships by Cricket South Africa this year. He performed well and officiated in the final.
· Woman’s World Cup Qualifiers (Potchefstroom)
Faizel Samsoodien was nominated by CSA to officiate in this event and he achieved first position of all the umpires in this competition.
· National Cubs Week
Faizel Samsoodien attended this week that was held in Stellenbosch during January 2011.
· Tertiary week
Faizel Samsoodien, Jean Neethling and Trevor van der Walt officiated at this week which was held in Cape Town. Faizel Samsoodien achieved first position and stood the final.
· National Colts Week
Faizel Samsoodien was nominated by CSA to officiate at this tournament which was held in Potchefstroom.
TRAINING PROGRAM
We, as the executive feel it is important to continue with the training of umpires. The next umpires training course will be discussed in our following executive meeting planning for the new season. The association will be presenting umpires courses for all interested parties in the months of August and September 2011.The September one will be presented by Mr. Karl Hurter from Cricket South Africa. I hope that these courses will be well attended by standing and new upcoming umpires.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCES
All umpires sent to various weeks and challenges did a job well done and kept our name high at all times. Some of our umpires are also officiating in the cricket South Africa Provincial Challenge as well as the national U/19 Three Day competition.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
In the 2010-2011 season, the association began a system, whereby all claim forms and standing forms were to go to one person (treasurer) and payments would be made accordingly. This had many potholes and many forms were not received, but payments made. This season 2010-2011 things seem to be running more smoothly, with only a few hiccups.
The auditor’s “Acker and Maloney” were approved and appointed by the association to handle the financial audit this year. Only three members on the executive have signing powers:
- Moses Carolus
- Jean Neethling
- Martin Botha
All standing umpires have paid their membership fees of R30.00.
CONCLUSION
It is with great excitement that we approach this year of cricket. The seasons are normally full and busy and as such, it is vital that our planning for the year is done early and correctly.
A special word of thanks to “Die Burger” for the functional and umpiring shirts provided as a sponsor. A special word of thanks and appreciation to Albertus Kennedy for arranging this sponsorship. We now all look similar and feel part of a larger body, which is respected and acknowledged by the teams and spectators.
The trips to Cape Town are well worth investing in as they expose the umpires to different kinds of cricket, ways of working with people and different leagues of players. The interaction between umpires from all over the country broadens the exposure to cricket and people with other attitudes and knowledge. A second exchange program is to be implemented for next year to Port Elizabeth. We are sure that this venture will be as successful as the Cape Town one.
The awards evening at the end of the year is still a highlight that we look forward to after the finals have been played. This was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed. We as a body would like to thank Yolandi Lombard of “Garden Route Casino Hotel and Spa” for a wonderfully coordinated evening.
We are definitely looking forward to the new challenges in the upcoming season.
Last but not least we would like to thank the Board and the office staff for fully supporting us the whole season, Thank You.